FIVE Mid Cheshire schools are celebrating after being awarded Artsmarks by the Arts Council of England.

FIVE Mid Cheshire schools are celebrating after being awarded Artsmarks by the Arts Council of England.

Winnington Park Community Primary School in Northwich, Wharton Junior School in Winsford and Norley C of E Primary will receive the awards at gold level, while Moulton Primary School and High Street Primary School in Winsford are two of only three schools in the county to be singled out for silver.

All have demonstrated a commitment to enriching the lives of their pupils by providing opportunities across all the art forms, from music, dance and drama to art and design.

Only 775 Artsmarks have been awarded across the country this year - including 274 golds and 298 silvers.

The award scheme encourages schools to increase the range of arts that are provided to pupils and recognises, promotes and spreads good practice on how to supply the arts in education.

It also brings together schools, artists and arts organisations, and provides young people with more opportunities to access the arts.

Gareth Davies, a member of the arts co-ordination team at Winnington Park Primary, said: 'I am delighted that the Arts Council has recognised our school's progressive, well-balanced arts education programme.

'There is a huge amount of arts activity going on here, much of it benefiting the local community.'

Projects have included workshops with local artist Melanie Young, with some of the work produced by the children being used to decorate St Luke's Church in Winnington for Remembrance Sunday.

Pupils have also designed artwork for a development site at the confluence of the Rivers Dane and Weaver, while other youngsters took part in a dance workshop inspired by a performance of Alice in Wonderland in Hartford High School.

Mr Davies added: 'All the staff at this school believe that the arts are an extremely important part of children's education. We work tremendously hard to ensure that all children are given the chance to experience as wide a range of art forms as possible and to develop their abilities fully.

'The great thing about the arts is that they are a really useful way to improve learning in other curriculum areas.'

Moulton Primary headteacher David Coulbeck said: 'I am delighted that the Arts Council has recognised Moulton school's extensive arts education programme, which enables pupils to work with local artists.

'There is a huge amount of arts activity going on here. A well-established music tradition is enhanced by our orchestral instrument players working with the BBC Philharmonic in Manchester.

'Year 4 pupils have been working with Sarah Gallagher, a sculptress, making characters from willow in the manner of Henry Moore. A big thank you to staff for all their hard work in achieving this award.'

Peter Hewitt, chief executive of the Arts Council of England, said: 'Now in its third year, Artsmark continues to go from strength to strength. Our belief is the arts have the power to transform lives and that dynamic arts experiences offered by schools have a lasting impact on young people.'